COLOUR IN THE HOME

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12434, 30 April 1926, Page 11

COLOUR IN THE HOME

Colours also affect the appearance of the size of the room, its light and its warmth, and for that reason it is essential to know the following simple facts about their effect:— Yellow is the most light-giving of the colours, and the best, therefore, to use

in a dark climate, or with a dull or cold aspect. Bed is the warmest of the colours, and because it strikes quickly on the eye will make a room seem smaller than will any other colour. Blue is the coldest, and will make a room seem larger than any other colour.

These are the three primary colours, and.such i* the effect of using them. By knowing the composition of the other colours—that orange, for example, is made up of yellow and red, and lightest and the warmest colours; and that green is made up of yellow and blue, the lightest and the coldest—you can also judge what their effect will be. f In addition to this, certain colours are changed by artificial light. Certain shades of green turn blOte. Some shades of violet turn Ted and others turn grey. In using these colours, therefore, try them carefully both day and night. Then there is the very important question of the colour of the woodwork of the room. The sound general rule is to make it the same colour as the predominant colour of the paper.

First, we must get quite out of our mind the ridiculous Idol which is so prevalent, that any one colour can bo intrinsically good, bnd, or indifferent. Such n belief is entirely contrary to all knowledge and experience. A colour is

only good or bad in comparison with its eurroundinge. But certain colours, if used on the walls of 6ittitig-rooriiß and bedrooms of such houses as v/e discuss, are more difficult to harmonise with furnishings than others. They produce effects which have to be contended • with in the subsequent choice of carpets, Curtains, and furniture coverings One of the most difficult tints is blue. Now, of course, the number of shades of blue it is possible to make is almost without limit. The same may be said of every other colour. But of the three primary colours—red, yellow and blue—the last* appears to be less in agreement fundamentally with the usual equipment of an English room than either of the other two. It is inclined to look cold, which in our grey climate, is a disadvantage. In selecting distemper Or plain wallpj.per for any room, bear in mind the folic wing points:— The more a shade of blue inclines to green or sage, the easier it will be to harmonise with other colours; but if it inclines towards lilac or mauve, it' will be difficult^ •*• # . • All soft shades of green are more or less pleasant. They are more of a relief in the town than the country, where green is the prevailing colour outside the house. Yellows are cheerful and reflect light, but under artificial light lose colour. Hyacinth, mauve, lilac, and violet become grey—and in some cases- quite inky and dead-—when the gas or electric light is turned on. All reds are bad reflectors of light, but those which incline towards orange suggest warmth. Dark colours reduce the apparent size of rooms. Eight colours suggest spaciousness and reflect light, thus proventing the creation of dark corners in fireplace Tecesses, underneath windows, and behind doors. Dust is more easily seen, and, consequently, more frequently removed, in a room with a light paper. Pink is a very trying colour, both for the room and those who live in it. The more it inclines to old rose colour, the more satisfactory it will be. The soft pink of some seashella may be taken as a gtxide. Ivoiy—the colour of an old knife handle—old gold, the brown of brown paper, straw colour, string colour, and the many varieties of stone colour are among the hest of backgrounds for pictures. Mottled or otherwise broken surfaces suggest thickness and substance, and relieve the blankness of perfectly plain tints. Pure white is inclined* to be cold. The tints of eggs, lily of the valley, new ivory, vellum, and old linen should be referred to.